A Delhi court on Saturday released Congress women’s wing chief Alka Lamba on probation of good conduct for one year in a case related to her conviction for allegedly assaulting police personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar in 2024. She has been directed to furnish a bond of Rs. One Lakh.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwani Panwar noted that Lamba was a first-time offender and allowed her the benefit of Section 401 of the BNSS, taking into account her character, past record and the circumstances of the case.
The court was hearing arguments on sentencing after Lamba, President of the All India Mahila Congress, was convicted last month for offences including obstructing public servants, assaulting officials, disobeying an order, and causing obstruction in a public place.
The court observed:" In the present case, the convict is a woman and also a first-time offender and as such Section 401(1) of the BNSS (order to release on probation of good conduct) squarely applies."The state has not placed on record any previous conviction of the convict, and there is no argument as to why the benefits of Section 401 of the BNSS be not given to the convict."
The court said there was no reason to deny her the benefit of the reformative provision."The 'Reformative Theory of Punishment' aims at rehabilitating an offender back to society as a law-abiding member, who would conform to the norms of the society," futher said.Taking into account her conduct and the situation in which the offence took place, the court ruled in her favour.
"Accordingly, this court is hereby releasing the convict Alka Lamba on probation of good conduct, on her entering into a bond in the sum of Rs one lakh with one surety in the like amount to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for one year from the date of entering into the bond," added.The court also warned that if she fails to maintain good behaviour during this period or repeats a similar offence, she would be required to undergo sentencing for the offences she was convicted of.
Meanwhile, upon her release, the Congress leader and former MLA Alka Lamba says, "I said that I would welcome whatever the decision is... I am glad that the court has said that I have always complied with the constitution and law in the 30 years of my political conduct... The Rouse Avenue Court has convicted me, and I will challenge it."
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